The debate over alcohol

The debate over alcohol

The government, in a special coordinating meeting on political
affairs and security, has decided to reevaluate the provincial
regulations on alcoholic beverages that are, at present, being
drafted in a number of regions. This decision, involving
regulations which are now being prepared in 15 provinces and are
designed to limit and control the sale of alcoholic beverages,
can only be welcomed.

For several weeks, protests have been aired by ulemas (Moslem
religious leaders) and Moslem students in a number of provinces.
They have demanded a withdrawal of the draft regulations, which
in several provinces, were ready for discussion in the local
legislatures.

Alcoholic beverages appear to have become a dilemma. On the
one hand, we want to protect our domestic industries. On the
other hand, Moslems -- for whom the beverages are haram
(prohibited) -- make up the majority of our population.

KH Hasan Basri, the chairman of the Council of Indonesian
Ulemas, has personally asked the government to first prohibit
alcoholic beverages and than regulate their sale in cases where
exceptions must be made.

Although this particular fatwa (ruling) has as yet not
received a response, the government's decision to reevaluate the
existing draft regulations will at least open the door for
everyone concerned to review the demerits and usefulness of
alcoholic beverages as a domestic industrial product, as well as
a tourist need in the present stage of development.

-- Bisnis Indonesia, Jakarta